Essential Oils for Horses: A Source Book for Owners and Practitioners (Hardcover)

Some people might feel that all this is yet another 'New Age' fad, but this is far from being the case. Essential oils have been used form ancient times, and as well as explaining just what an essential oil is, Carole Faith gives us a fascinating potted history of their uses. Essential oils can be used either on their own, or alongside many other complementary therapies such as sports massage, shiatsu, pressure point therapy, acupuncture etc. The author stresses, however, that they are not miracle cures and do not suit every horse -a refreshing change from some authors who seem to regard their particular type of therapy as a panacea for all ills.

Having used essential oils with my own horses, I can testify to their value in helping horses to deal with stressful situations. Lavender (clinically proven to have sedative, calming effects) in particular has proved extremely useful in this respect, and as an asthma-sufferer I also have personal experience of its efficacy in helping to alleviate some of the symptoms - although it should of course be used to complement, not replace, conventional asthma relievers. It has also helped one of my horses who suffers from recurring (acute, not chronic) respiratory problems.

As well as discussing the emotive effect of smells, and the therapeutic uses of 30 essential oils, Carole Faith describes what each oil is, how to store it and how to use it and - extremely importantly - gives comprehensive safety guidelines for handling and using oils. Used correctly they can be perfectly safe, but some of them, if handled and administered incorrectly, can have harmful side effects. Carole Faith also advises when not to use certain oils - a vital piece of information too often lacking in books and magazine articles. She also devotes a chapter to the organic chemistry of oils; don't be tempted to skip this part, as it really is interesting and informative!

A chapter that will be of particular use to practitioners and horse-owners alike describes the uses of essential oils with different types of horse - again, a refreshing change form those writers who seem to assume that all horses will react in the same ways. Further chapters discuss the blending of essential oils, equipment and its uses, and different types of massage that can be combined with essential oil therapy.

This is a fascinating and very readable book, which is interesting in its own right, as well as providing horse owners with a valuable guide to a therapy which is not only effective but extremely pleasurable for horse and human alike.

- Lesley Skipper